Fitting that the Raiders would win on a special teams play, with rookie Brandon Myers with a strip and recovery of Andre Caldwell to set up Sebastian Janikowski’s 33-yard field goal as the Raiders scored 10 points in a span of 18 seconds.

“He (Cooper) caused the fumble. That was unbelievable. His wife was here and his daughter was here. Before the game his 4-year-old daughter said she was excited to watch the game. She said, ‘I get to see my daddy play!,’ linebacker Sam Williams said. “Man. I just spread the word and everybody felt the emotions of that. It was special.”

— Wide receiver Louis Murphy scored his first touchdown since a 57-yard, fourth-and-14 strike from JaMarcus Russell in Week 1 against San Diego.

He even got to feel as he did when an earlier score was reversed when a replay official said he didn’t have possession.

“I was like, `Oh, man, here we go again,’ ” Murphy said. “This time, there was no issue about catching the ball, only if Murphy had crossed the goal line. The touchdown stood.

“I was in the slot, and I had a seam up in there,” Murphy said. “If it’s Cover 2 I was supposed to go across the middle. If it’s Cover 1 I just stay up the seam. It was Cover 1 and I stayed up the seam. Bruce (Gradkowski) did a back-shoulder throw, we’ve been practicing it all week, and it was a successful play.”

— The storyline for this win ought to include the defense as much as it does Gradkowski and the improbable final minute. Read why in my Web exclusive column.

— The Raiders had just three penalties for 13 yards, but one looked as if it would be costly when Stanford Routt was called for roughing the passer on third-and-6 when his helmet collided with the helmet of Carson Palmer.

With first and goal at the 3, Thomas Howard dropped Brian Leonard for a 2-yard loss, Leonard ran four yards to the 1, and then Routt atoned for his mistake with an 18-yard sack of a confused Palmer.

“That’s why I didn’t even know how to take him down the second time,” Routt said. “I just took him down as softly as I could.”

Cincinnati came away with no points when Shayne Graham missed a 37-yard field goal.

Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said the blitz was one of many tendency-breaking calls from defensive coordinator John Marshall.

Asomugha said Marshall has been blitzing more of late, but the Raiders haven’t been getting often enough for the results to be noticed.

— Most noticeable difference between Gradkowski and JaMarcus Russell came on the 29-yard touchdodwn strike to Murphy. Gradkowski went through a progression, started off looking to his right, then came back to find Murphy open on the left.

— Word of the day came from Murphy when asked about Gradkowski _ punctual.

“It was a great approach. This week, he was full of energy,” Murphy said. “He commanded the huddle, and he was punctual, and he was ready for the Bengals . . . he said that we’re gonna continue to try to just move the ball and try to get first downs. Nothing too big, just move the chains. So that’s what we did.”

— Gradkowski doubled the Raiders season total of touchdown passes from two to four. No new receivers involved, however, Murphy and Zach Miller have two each.

Only four completions were two wide receivers, but they were all important. Two went to Chaz Schilens for 41 yards, including a fourth–and-10 16-yard catch on the final drive, the touchdown to Murphy and a 7-yard third down conversion to Darrius Heyward-Bey on a drive that led to Sebastian Janikowski’s 52-yard field goal.

“It seems to me like he has a good grip of the defenses and where to get the ball to,” Schilens said. “We just didn’t beat ourselves, so that’s the most important thing. Beating ourselves with turnovers and things, that’s a quick way to lose a game. So we hung in there. It wasn’t pretty in the beginning but we hung in there, hung in there and pulled through.”

Heyward-Bey was targeted six times and had the one reception. He also had an early drop which brought out the boos.

— Coach Tom Cable drew some boos when he ordered a Shane Lechler punt on fourth-and-1 from the Oakland 47-yard line while trailing 17-10 with 7:50 to play. Justin Fargas had been stuffed on a third-and-1, and Lechler came in and punted the Bengals back to the 10-yard line.

“I felt like we just kind of got out of whack there on the third down play,” Cable said. “The defense, you noticed, we had really gotten some stops even gave up a couple big plays but we were able to stop them after the big plays in the second half so I was pretty confident we’d get a second chance at the end there.”

— After the Gradkowski-to-Murphy touchdown, rookie Brandon Myers delivered the game-winning play on a strip and fumble recover against Andre Caldwell, allowing Janikowski to convert a 33-yard field goal with 12 seconds left.

“I was on the backside and was trying to chase him down. I saw he was going to reverse field and kind had the ball out here to the side a little bit and I tried to make a play and it happened,” Myers said. “It all happened so fast. I didn’t really realize what happened until I got up but it was definitely exciting.”

— So much for Chad Ochocinco talking up a storm against Nnamdi Asomugha.

“He never opened his mouth,” Asomugha said.

Ochocinco, however, did open his mouth with the coaching staff. In the coaches booth next to the press box, a Bengals coach could be heard after an early series talking to “Chad,” telling him to quit waving cornebacks closer and to stay under control.

Ochocinco finished with four catches for 67 yards with just one reception for 12 yards in the fourth quarter. He caught one pass against Asomugha on a dig route, which Asomugha saying afterward he thought Ochocinco had pushed off.

“Nnamdi’s the best in the game. Hands down,” Ochocinco said. “He will always be until someone goes at him on a consistent basis. It seems no one tries to. Not even us.”

Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer

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real la raider . as the great ( die hard ) once said . welcome 2 da party pal !yeah we must endure the useless banter of the fake madden raider. but he will one day see the light .

that white light ..

Thec07

Whos idea was it to draft dhb???

Burque Raider

does anybody out there know how to watch the replay of blacked out games??

JB

Koolaide aside, I believe we stand a good chance against the Cowboys especially if Seymour is healthy. It will be close but a good controlled running game with accurate passing across the WHOLE field should pay dividends. While Gradkowski is not a Pro Bowl talent he appears to be a stablizing leader in the huddle – another thing JaBustus is NOT. He apparently understands the Whole offense, can see the Whole field and throws to all, has the ability to goe through a receiver progression greater than two and has pocket presence. These are all things JaBustus should have by now if he gave a damn and worked at it. well, he’ll have his whole off season to figure out if he wants to put in the work to become competent. If he doesn’t he’s gone and wil never play in the NFL again.

real_LA_raider

lol, right on gray! I am just happy to see a win. Saw it from the house of an SD fan. Even sweeter! It’s something to build on and hopefully Grads can get better the more reps he has with the first team. Still hope Russell sees the light.

burque raider , try ovguide.com or maybe sum bum on ustream has it up on his page. or maybe the nfl network will replay it ? many highlights up on nfl.com.

JB

# Burque Raider Says:
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:39 pm

does anybody out there know how to watch the replay of blacked out games??
***********************

If you get the NFL ticket on Direct TV Satellite, channel 704-1, 11:30PM PST for the 30 minute short version.

Chris in NY

People still crying that JaMarcus should be back in there need to crawl into a hole. We just beat one of the top teams in the conference and managed two actual TD drives in a game.

Not the kind of drives JaMarcus typically ran about once every other week — i.e. Bush breaks off a 65-yard run to set up a 1-yard TD run or Zach Miller takes a 10-yard pass and turns it into an 80-yard TD. I’m talking about a series of accurate throws, good decision-making and completions from the QB that help us score a TD.

Do you realize this is the first time we’ve scored 20 pts in a game since Week 1?

jhill

I understand being relieved about Russell not playing, but my goodness! Gradkowski passed for ONE first down on a 3rd down. His first 3 possession were a 5 plays punt, 2 plays fumble, 3 plays punt.

After the TD drive, he only completed 5 of his next 14 passes, man. He had 4 straight misses before connected on a 4th and 10. Missed one more time before he hit Murphy for the TD.

The QB play was no different than it has been before. The QB was 50% with 2 turnovers, and under 200 yds.

We won today because of strong defense and good STs play, IMO. Keeping Cincy out of the endzone those 3 red zone trips was HUGE. Than fumble?!?!? The big play by Routt to force a FG that ended up being missed?

Damn good defense, and thanks to the refs for not finding a way to give the game to Cincy!

Chris in NY

And let me be the first to call it: The Raiders will ruin Thanksgiving in the city of Dallas, Texas on Thursday.

That’s right.

raideralex99

Real MaddenRaider … call Al Sharpton and stay off the boards you racist!!!

JB

From Scott Ostler’s column:
*********************
Gradkowski’s ascendancy to No. 1 was born of pure desperation, either Cable trying to save his job or Davis trying to save his pride, or both.

The Raiders were 2-7 this season under Russell, and they were scoring 9.8 points per game.

The only difference between the two is that Gradkowski works harder, is in better shape, knows the offense better, knows defenses better, makes adjustments on the fly better, is a far-superior scrambler, is a more accurate passer, and brings more energy.

The only mistake Gradkowski made Sunday was giving credit to Raider-enemies Jon Gruden and Jeff Garcia for helping him learn the league during his rookie season in Tampa Bay.

If Gradkowski continues to play well, eventually Cable and Davis will have to explain why they stuck with Russell so long, other than because of the huge money the Raiders gave him as a No. 1 draft pick.

Chris in NY, As much as we want to give Grads all the creit this DEFENSE won this game the offense finally came through at the end. 8 mins. left we threw a pick the defense gt it back wegot stopped the defense got it back and we finally go it right. Staying away from DHB.

The defense won this game…………..period
Russell has come through on drives like this many times and we still lost……..period

So don’t act like he’s NEVER done it because he has. In the SD game he drove us right down the field for a score and the defense gave it back. Russell has demonstrated that he can put it in the endzone with the game on the line several times.

priesttj

I’m just saying Russell has many shortcomings and we’ve all beat them to death but let’s not LIE on the kid that is not necessary. Russell has beaten some very good teams including Phillly this year and that drive vs KC in KC was a thing of beauty.

jmeds

THEFAKE MADDENRAIDER: STFU!

You have to be some sort of troll. The raiders won and had Russell been QB we probably dont. Gradowski isnt the next Manning but has that grittiness about him we have lacked at the QB position since Gannon. He will do whatever it takes and that what we need. You are not a raider fan.

priesttj

JB, please spare us the sensationalism why would AD give a rats ass if Grads gives credit where credit is due. He played for Gruden what the hell is wrong with that? Paul Hackett is his coach here and he played under Gruden. So what?!

jhill

priesttj Says:
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:57 pm

I’m just saying Russell has many shortcomings and we’ve all beat them to death but let’s not LIE on the kid that is not necessary. Russell has beaten some very good teams including Phillly this year and that drive vs KC in KC was a thing of beauty.

——————————————————

Exactly Priest!

We should have at least 3 more wins IN SPITE of Russell playing, but the TEAM did not get it done.

Be it Murphy’s dropped TD against SD or the defense giving up TWO 4th qtr 3rd and 17’s that BOTH lead to TDs.

Be it Murphy and JLH running into each other int he last SD game, or Murphy dropping a ball that lead to a pick, or Miller being held leading to a pick. Lost the game by one score IN SPITE of all of that.

Last week, DHB drops a TD from Russell, Murphy has a LONG gainer called back due to penalty, Jano misses a short FG, and we lose by one score.

3 games we could have EASILY won even with the bumbling guy back there. The defense and STs came through for us today with turnovers. THAT is the ONLY difference we say today.

jmeds

Bring Allen and Gruden back. Gradowski has cooked a little bit and may be just what the doctor ordered.

I wanted to draft Russell but now feel it was a mistake. QB’s need to lead by example and the only thing Russell leads is the line to pick up his check. Russell just doesnt see the field like a QB should.

DaRayduh

Some of you dissin on Grad sound childish.
Get over it. Grow up.
You think you know whats goin on.
You dont.

The defense was OUTfreakinSTANDING!! Cincy had 3 drives deep in the redzone and got 3 points!!!!! or we lose by 10 points………..period!

Myers strip and Fumble recovery clinched it, but I guess Grads helped him do that too. RIDICULOUS!!

dave r

chris in NY again turkey at my place in bristol ct take the drive as far as the jruss grad thing goes HELLO AGAIN HELLO any1 and i mean any1 whos played football above the pop warner level knows this team has zero faith in Jruss Jwalruss Jmeatball Jfatso or whatever u want to call him the team didnt quit they believed they they had a chance and thats a leadership quality that russell doesnt have put number21 on miles austin stop the run and we will have the country spitting turkey on thier laps because the raiders beat another 1st place team 2 weeks in a row on turkey day

dave r

before the haters jump on me i mean in 4 days and 2 games not 2 weeks

priesttj

These guy’s a looney if they think this kid is going to lead us anywhere. Grads is a backup QB………period.

He can do somethings that Ruissell can’t at this point his entusiasm is great, but what happens when he throws 3 picks? Grads is also a very young QB who needs to learn to beat tough defenses geared to stop him. He got away with it today but Dallas has film on him now the will throw a defense at him he has to navigate. After 3 or 4 games we’ll see if he can keep the ship afloat. Somehow and I”m not wishing ill will on Grads at all but I see Russell starting again before the year is out. We’ll see if I’m wrong but some are making way too much out of this one win. This guy is not some star QB, far from it. I saw a guy who can run around and make a few plays and that’s it.

Sorry!!

priesttj

Well certainly hpe you’re right I have a next door neighbor who is a an obnoxious Cowboy fan and he knows and has been waiting for the Cowboy’s to embarrass us.

So from your lips to God’s I would love to beat the Cowgirls.

lefty12

let’s hope we don’t see him starting any more games this year!that wouldn’t be a very good sign.so let me get this straight-we barely score and beat Philly and JR won the game,yet today we scored 20 points,our QB threw 2(two) td passes(as many as JR has thrown all year,btw) and the only reason we won was because of the Def.?i know you love JR but come on!btw,Cincy is a much better team than Philly.you guys are going overboard with your disrespect for BG.also,if BG had been playing and preformed as he did today we would have beaten SD,KC easily the 1st time and again the 2nd time and who knows what other games.

NorthernD

Saying the defence won the game is way over simplyfying it.
This is the first time in 7 games that the Raiders scored a point in the second half. That means a whole lot of 3 and outs. Which makes for a very tired and beaten down D.
The reason the team scored points and kept the ball was Gradkowski. Not the inconsistant Mr. Russell.

lefty12

it is really a shame that the player that is bringing the team down on the field is also tearing apart the fans of the team.

NorthernD

I think the fans are just angry because of the product. Besides, you gotta have a screw loose to be a Raiders fan anyway. A little bit of pent up aggression. If they were content and liked everyone, you’d be Cowboys fans.

NorthernD

It’s all fun ’til somebody loses an eye.
Then you put on an eyepatch and become a Raider.

priesttj

Lefty12, you take this too far this isn’t tearing us apart at all. It’s just difference of opinion. I don’t feel any different towards anyone in here about this at all. I just feel that The defense won both games Philly and Cincy. Russell is very immature and has a lot to do to get better. I just think that people are giddy over this win and are giving way too much credit to Grads ignoring a dominant effort from this defense.

Grads is the better QB for us right now because Russell’s confidence is down. But if you really believe that in the long run Grads is the best QB going into the future I just don’t see it at all. I see the gritty player Jeff Garcia type. If Russell puts in the time and makes strides he is hands down no question a better player…………period.

The coaches know it Grads knows it. And quite frankly so should you. Grads is another Jeff Garcia but Russell can be another Elway or Plunkett. There’s just no comparison……..period

DKnight007

Nice timing for the Raiders to pull out miraculous win on the day they dedicated to Marquis Cooper, their former teammate lost at sea March 1 and presumed dead.

Fitting that the Raiders would win on a special teams play, with rookie Brandon Myers with a strip and recovery of Andre Caldwell to set up Sebastian Janikowski’s 33-yard field goal as the Raiders scored 10 points in a span of 18 seconds.

^^^^^^^
The win versus Cinncy was for Coop! Special teams won the game.

R.I.P Marquis Cooper

lefty12

Priest,sorry but i don’t see those guys in Russell.i see
George,Leaf,A.Smith,Shuler,Couch,Harrington, and those type of guys.i don’t believe he has the intangibles necessary to be successful at this level.

VanHeathen

Jr has done all this to HIMSELF,
is he was playing bad enough to get benched, while NOT being the hardest working guy, then it’s on HIM.
So many trying to spin this onto others, when in reality, after 2 years, he isn’t in better shape mentaly or physically,
no one to blame but himself…

DKnight007

Gradkowski should be kept in there for rest of the year….until he screws up badly and costs wins…..like what Russell was doing before, costing the team wins by playing terribly.

Russell also needs to start showing that he is serious about being a leader, hard worker and being a winner.

That means he needs to use all that money he doesn’t deserve on a personal trainer and lose 15-20 pounds and get in the best shape of his life and put in long hours of studying film instead of spending that undeserved money on drinking, bling, and just flat out being lazy.

priesttj

OK Lefty12, no problem I’m just telling you what the coaches say at practice. It hasn’t happened on Sunday as often as they would like and that’s why he was becnhed because they want him be more consistent. But this kid makes some unbelievable throws and has led us to some nice wins. Had Chaz Schilens played all year he would be still starting and we would have more wins. Chaz made a great catch in this game for Grads especially on 4th down to get that win. Russell didn’t have that most of the year. He had two babies running into each other and stumbling all over the field.

It’s been an unfortunate year two for Russell but you’ll see what I mean as these WR’s develope if we get rid of Russell we will without a doubt regret it. Trust me. But in the mean time and between time enjoy Grads. Russell definitely needed to sit for his own good I just don’t see it lasting too long. I just don’t.

DKnight007

Priesst,

This is what needs to happen before Russell can be taken seriously as an NFL QB.

Russell needs to start showing that he is serious about being a leader, hard worker and being a winner.

That means he needs to use all that money he doesn’t deserve on a personal trainer and lose 15-20 pounds and get in the best shape of his life and put in long hours of studying film instead of spending that undeserved money on drinking, bling, and just flat out being lazy.

priesttj

Guy’s stop with the crap will ya’ no one blames anyone but Russell for Russell’s problems at least I don’t. He needed to sit………period

I just don’t see Grads holdng that job long term………period.

All Russell has to do is get his head straight, Cable has intimated as much many times. That Russell is indeed the longterm answer for this team. I’m just tellling you what the coaches are saying.

priesttj

This is exactly what Russell needs is a mentor the same as Grads had in Garcia for a couple of years and to put in the work……….that’s it………..period

priesttj

By then he’ll be all of 25 years old and ready…….period.

TheRealJacksonRaider

so called “Real Madden Raider”, you are an idiot. keep blowing your buddies behind the podium like you have been all season. i have read these comments all year and had to register on this website just to let you know what a sissy, goat loving moron you are. i know it would be a waste of time to tell you to shut the hell up so i am very curious what kind of crap you will have to say now. it is actually entertaining reading your nonsense and moronic ramblings.
will be at the thanksgiving game supporting my team, not yours. this team belongs to the true fans not some heroine junkie that gets on the computer at his local library. i would have thought that they would have kicked you out by now for the stinch. take care douchebag!!!!;

TheRealJacksonRaider

oh by the way, very proud of “our” team today.

lefty12

Priest,as bad as DHB has been he has made 2 clutch 3rd down receptions for 1st downs from BG the last 2 games.that has been there all year.but as i’ve said before my main problem is his desire and drive and i don’t think that can be changed overnight.he is the one who should be telling his young WRs they have to stay late,they have to come in on their days off.this is his 3dr year and he should be leading them not waiting for them to ask him for extra work.you like to mention watching film,well i want him working on the field as well.i find it hard to believe if he doesn’t have that burning desire to be the best,he will suddenly find it.

DKnight007

Oh yeah….and Al Davis still sucks!

I’m happy for the players and Coopers family for the win…..not Al Davis…he still needs to go!

http://none The Real MaddenRaider

TheRealJacksonRaider Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:38 am

so called “Real Madden Raider”,….i know it would be a waste of time to tell you to shut the hell up so i am very curious what kind of crap you will have to say now.

………………..

I have nothing to say now. I mean, the Raiders just won the Super Bowl.

http://none The Real MaddenRaider

We’re 3-7.

We have a quarterback who’s just a little better than JaMarcus Russell.

I mean, what’s not to celebrate?

http://none The Real MaddenRaider

DKnight007 Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:23 am

Gradkowski should be kept in there for rest of the year….until he screws up badly and costs wins…..

…………………..

When would his supporters cop to that? He can throw 10 picks in one game and they’ll blame someone other than him.

TheRealJacksonRaider

it was actually more than just a game today. i am pretty sure that it meant the “world” to Marquis Cooper’s family. wife, mom and daughter. good for them. so i would guess that to them, this was a “super bowl”

http://none The Real MaddenRaider

It would be nice if Coopers family witnessed a real Raider victory, and not just one that was handed to us via a lucky fumble. They got screwed.

He Hate Me

Anybody else get infected today while watching the game on adthe.net???